Compound trapeze and method of using same

ABSTRACT

A secondary pivot adapted to interrupt the periodic motion of a trapeze so as to cause the trapeze performer to experience rotational acceleration is disclosed. The term “secondary pivot” is defined to mean a selectively engageable pivot interposed at preselected intermediate positions along the respective lengths of the suspension lines of the trapeze between their points of suspension and the trapeze bar. A compound trapeze which includes a secondary pivot is also disclosed. Methods which include a step of restraining the periodic motion of a trapeze so as to cause the trapeze performer to experience rotational acceleration are also disclosed.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to trapezes and methods of using same.

2. Description of the Related Art

A trapeze is a device that has long been associated with circuses andaerial performers. Although the rigging equipment and materials ofconstruction have been upgraded over time, the basic design has remainedthe same for well over a hundred years. In general, a trapeze consistsof a short bar suspended near or at its ends by suspension lines, e.g.,cables, so that it is free to swing back and forth in a regular fashion.The length of bar between the suspension lines is selected to besufficiently long to accommodate the body width of a performer. Thereare specialized versions of the trapeze, such as the double horizontaltrapeze in which a bar which is long enough to accommodate twoperformers is used and a third suspension line is added at the midpointof the bar's length. Another specialized version is the double verticaltrapeze in which one trapeze is suspended from another. However, untilthe present invention, the trapeze has been a little more than aperiodic motion swing on which aerialists performed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention adds a new feature to the prior art trapeze and tothe ways in which a trapeze can be used. According to one aspect of thepresent invention, there is provided a compound trapeze consisting of atrapeze and a selectively engageable pivot interposed at preselectedintermediate positions along the respective lengths of the suspensionlines of the trapeze between their points of suspension and the trapezebar. The selectively engageable pivot is referred to hereinafter and inthe appended claims as a “secondary pivot.” The secondary pivot is usedto selectively arrest the motion of the suspension lines between theirpoints of suspension and the points at which the secondary pivot actsupon them so that the secondary pivot defines new pivot points for theportions of the suspension lines below the secondary pivot. Whenengaged, the secondary pivot interrupts the periodic motion of thetrapeze midswing. This causes the trapeze bar and the performer holdingonto it to angularly accelerate along an arc of suddenly shortenedradius as both the effective length of the suspension lines and theperiod of swing of the trapeze are suddenly shortened by the restrainingaction of the secondary pivot. The angular acceleration gives theperformer the opportunity to perform stunts which could not be performedunder the constraints that the laws of physics impose on the periodicmotion of an unrestrained trapeze.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provideda secondary pivot for use with a trapeze.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, there areprovided methods of using a trapeze which include a step of restrainingthe periodic motion of the trapeze so that the performer experiencesrotational acceleration.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The criticality of the features and merits of the present invention willbe better understood by reference to the attached drawings. It is to beunderstood, however, that the drawings are designed for the purpose ofillustration only and not as a definition of the limits of the presentinvention.

FIG. 1 is a schematic elevational front view of a prior art trapeze.

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIGS. 3A-C are schematic side elevational views illustrating theoperation of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 3A shows the embodiment at the instant in time when the performeris just about to swing out from the platform.

FIG. 3B shows the embodiment a short time later when the performer hasreached a certain point in the swing at which the slack goes out of therestraining line.

FIG. 3C shows the embodiment a short time after that shown in FIG. 3B.

FIG. 4 schematically illustrates a plan view of a secondary pivot ofanother embodiment of the present invention in use taken at an elevationthat is intermediate between the points of suspension of the trapezesuspension lines and the trapeze bar.

FIG. 5 schematically illustrates a plan view of secondary pivot ofanother embodiment of the present invention in use taken at the samecross sectional height as FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 schematically illustrates a plan view of a secondary pivot ofstill another embodiment of the present invention in use taken at thesame elevation as FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 schematically illustrates a plan view of a secondary pivot of yetanother embodiment of the present invention in use taken at the sameelevation as FIG. 4.

FIG. 8 schematically illustrates a plan view of a secondary pivot ofanother embodiment of the present invention in use taken at the sameelevation as FIG. 4.

FIG. 9 schematically illustrates a side elevational view of anembodiment of the present invention in use wherein the length of therestraining line is dynamically adjustable.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In this section, some preferred embodiments of the present invention aredescribed in detail sufficient for one skilled in the art to practicethe present invention. It is to be understood, however, that the factthat a limited number of preferred embodiments are described herein doesnot in any way limit the scope of the present invention as set forth inthe appended claims.

FIG. 1 schematically shows a typical prior art trapeze. The trapeze 2consists a bar 4 and two suspension lines 6. The bar 4 is shown ashaving weights 8 at either end. Such weights 8 are often used to helpstabilize the swing of the trapeze 2 when it is swinging without aperformer. Each of the suspension lines 6 has a proximal end 10 fromwhich the bar 4 is suspended and a distal end 12 from which thesuspension line 6 itself is suspended.

FIG. 2 shows a compound trapeze according to an embodiment of thepresent invention. The compound trapeze 14 is similar in many respectsto the prior art trapeze 2 of FIG. 1. The compound trapeze 14 has a bar16 which may optionally have weights 18 at its ends. The bar 16 issuspended near its ends by suspension lines 20. Each of the suspensionlines 20 has a proximal end 22 from which the bar 14 is suspended and adistal end 24 from which the suspension line 20 itself is suspended.Here the similarity with the prior art trapeze 2 ends. The compoundtrapeze 14 also includes a secondary pivot 26. The secondary pivot 26 inthis embodiment comprises an arresting bar 28 and a restraining line 30.The arresting bar 28 is positionably attached to suspension lines 20 byfasteners 32. The restraining line 30 is connected at its proximal end34 to the center of the arresting bar 28 by a connector 36. Therestraining line 30 has a distal end 38 which is to be anchored so as toenable the restraining line 30 to interrupt the swing of the suspensionlines 20 above the point of interaction P between the secondary pivot 26and the suspension line 20.

FIGS. 3A-C schematically illustrate the operation of compound trapeze14. FIG. 3A illustrates a point in time when the performer 40 is justabout to jump off of box 42 on platform 44 that juts out from pole 46.The performer 40 has just grasped bar 16. The arresting bar 28 ofsecondary pivot 26 is attached to the suspension line 20 at point P andto the unshown companion suspension line at a corresponding point. Thedistal end 38 of restraining line 30 is anchored to pole 46 at a pointA. The restraining line 30 has slack 48 at this point in time.

FIG. 3B illustrates a later point in time. The performer 40 has left thebox 42 and swung out on the compound trapeze 14 along original arc 50 assuspension line 20 pivots about suspension point 52. At this instant intime, restraining line 30 is just about to become taut. The periodicswinging motion of the performer 40 up until this instant issubstantially the same as it would be for the prior art trapeze 2 shownillustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3C illustrates an instant later. The restraining line 30 has becometaut and has prevented suspension line 20 from continuing its pivotingabout the suspension point 52. This restraint causes the lower portion54 of the suspension line 20 and the corresponding part of the unshowncompanion suspension line that are below point P to pivot about thearresting bar 28. As a result, the performer 40 does not swing along thecontinuation of original arc 50, but instead swings along a new arc 56.Because the length of the lower portion 54 of the suspension line 20 andthe corresponding portion of the unshown companion suspension line areshorter than the suspension lines full lengths, the period of theperformer's swing is suddenly shortened and the performer 40 isangularly accelerated as his or her angular momentum is conserved. Thus,this embodiment of the present invention causes a change in motion thatgives the performer the opportunity to perform stunts which could not beperformed under the constraints that the laws of physics impose on theperiodic motion of an unrestrained trapeze.

FIG. 4 schematically illustrates a plan view of a secondary pivot ofanother embodiment of the present invention in use taken at an elevationthat is intermediate between the points of suspension of the trapezesuspension lines and the trapeze bar. In this embodiment, the secondarypivot 58 comprises restraining line 60, connecting link 62, fork lines64, clamps 66, and anchor 68. The connecting link 62 connects theproximal end 70 of restraining line 60 to fork lines 64. The fork lines64 are positionably fastened to suspension lines 72 of the trapeze byclamps 66 at locations on the suspension lines 72 that are intermediatebetween their suspension points (not shown) and the trapeze bar (notshown). The distal end 74 of the restraining line 60 is anchored to thepole 76 by anchor 68. The length of the restraining line 60 is selectedso that the secondary pivot 58 interrupts the periodic motion of thetrapeze at the desired point in its swing.

FIG. 5 schematically illustrates a plan view of secondary pivot of stillanother embodiment of the present invention in use taken at the sameelevation as FIG. 4. In this embodiment, the secondary pivot 78comprises two restraining lines 80. The proximal end 82 of each of therestraining lines 80 is positionably fastened to one of the suspensionlines 84 of the trapeze by a clamp 86. The distal end 88 of eachrestraining line 80 is anchored to one of the two poles 90 by beinglooped around it.

FIG. 6 schematically illustrates a plan view of a secondary pivot ofstill another embodiment of the present invention in use taken at thesame elevation as FIG. 4. In this embodiment, the secondary pivot 92comprises two restraining lines 94 and an arresting bar 96. The proximalends 98 of the restraining lines 94 are attached by a connector 100 tothe midpoint of arresting bar 96. The distal ends 102 of the restraininglines 94 are anchored to poles 104. The arresting bar 96 is positionablyattached to suspension lines 106 by fasteners 108.

FIG. 7 schematically illustrates a plan view of a secondary pivot of yetanother embodiment of the present invention in use taken at the sameelevation as FIG. 4. In this embodiment, the secondary pivot 110comprises two restraining lines 112. Each of the restraining lines 112has its proximal end 114 positionably attached to one of the suspensionlines 116 by a fastener 118. The distal end 120 of each of therestraining lines 112 connect to anchor connection 122 which itself isanchored to pole 124.

FIG. 8 schematically illustrates a plan view of a secondary pivot ofanother embodiment of the present invention in use taken at the sameelevation as FIG. 4. In this embodiment, the secondary pivot 126comprises two restraining lines 128. Each of the restraining lines 128is attached at its respective proximal end 130 to a connector 132 whichconnects it to the arresting bar 134. The arresting bar 134 ispositionably attached to each of the suspension lines 136 by a fastener138. The respective distal ends 140 of each of the restraining lines 128are connected to anchor 142 which are anchored to pole 144.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the length of therestraining line or lines are dynamically adjustable. In theseembodiments, the restraining line or lines are allowed to play outand/or play in as the performer swings on the trapeze. The restrainingline or lines are made taut at a selected moment in the performance soas to interrupt the periodic motion of the trapeze. FIG. 8 shows anexample of such an embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 9, there is depicted a schematic side view of asecondary pivot 146 in use which comprises restraining line 148 that isconnected at its proximal end 150 to the midpoint of the arresting bar152. The arresting bar 152 is positionably attached to the suspensionlines 154 (only one of which is shown) by fasteners 156 (only one ofwhich is shown). The restraining line 148 runs over pulley 158, which isanchored to pole 160. The distal end 162 of the restraining line 148 iscontrolled handler 164. As the performer 166 swings on the trapeze 168,the handler 164 dynamically adjusts the length of the restraining line148. At a predetermined moment on the outward swing of the performer166, the handler 164 makes the restraining line 148 go taut, thusinterrupting the periodic motion of the trapeze 168 and causing theperformer 166 to rotationally accelerate.

The secondary pivot of the present invention is not restricted to theembodiments described above, but includes all embodiments which comprisea mechanism that selectively restrains the periodic motion of a trapezemidswing so as to cause the performer on the bar of the trapeze toexperience rotational acceleration as the suspension lines of thetrapeze pivot about their points of interaction with the restrainingmechanism.

The point of interaction between the secondary pivot and the trapezesuspension lines is selected to provide the desired amount of angularacceleration to the performer. The closer the point of interaction is tothe trapeze bar, the greater is the angular acceleration that theperformer will experience. However, it is preferred that the point ofinteraction be kept above the performer's center of gravity.

It is preferred that neither the performer nor the trapeze contacts theslack portion of a restraining line of a secondary pivot during use.Whether or not such contact may occur should be taken into considerationin selecting the anchor points of the restraining line or lines, thelength of the restraining lines, and whether or not to dynamicallyadjust the restraining line length during use.

The present invention also includes method embodiments. In suchembodiments, a performer swings on a trapeze. At a preselected point inhis or her swinging, the periodic motion of the trapeze is restrained atlocations of the suspension lines that are intermediate between theirpoints of suspension and the trapeze bar. The step of restraining causesthe performer to experience a rotational acceleration which he or sheoptionally may use to perform stunts of his or her choosing. The pointin the performer's swinging when the restraint is imposed is left to thediscretion of the performer.

While only a few embodiments of the present invention have been shownand described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that manychanges and modifications may be made thereunto without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the present invention as described in thefollowing claims.

1. A compound trapeze comprising: a) a trapeze having a bar andsuspension lines; and b) a secondary pivot; wherein the secondary pivotis adapted to selectively interact with the suspension lines atrespective locations thereof which are intermediate between the bar andthe respective suspension points of the suspension lines to interruptthe periodic motion of the trapeze so as to cause a performer swingingon the trapeze to experience rotational acceleration.
 2. The compoundtrapeze of claim 1, wherein the secondary pivot is fastened to thesuspension lines.
 3. The compound trapeze of claim 1, wherein thesecondary pivot includes a restraining line adapted to selectivelyinterrupt the periodic motion of the trapeze, wherein the restrainingline is adapted to selectively interact with the suspension lines atrespective locations thereof which are intermediate between the bar andthe respective suspension points of the suspension lines so as to causea performer swinging on the trapeze to experience rotationalacceleration.
 4. The compound trapeze of claim 3, wherein therestraining line is operatively connected to the suspension lines. 5.The compound trapeze of claim 3, wherein the secondary pivot furtherincludes an anchor, wherein the restraining line is operativelyconnected to the anchor.
 6. The compound trapeze of claim 3, wherein thelength of the restraining line is dynamically adjustable.
 7. Thecompound trapeze of claim 1, wherein the secondary pivot comprises aplurality of restraining lines, and each of the plurality of restraininglines is adapted to selectively interact with a suspension line at alocation thereof which is intermediate between the bar and thesuspension point of the suspension line so as to cause a performerswinging on the trapeze to experience rotational acceleration.
 8. Thecompound trapeze of claim 7, wherein the secondary pivot includes ananchor and at least one of the plurality of restraining lines isoperatively connected to the anchor.
 9. The compound trapeze of claim 7,wherein at least one of the plurality of restraining lines has adynamically adjustable length.
 10. A secondary pivot for use with atrapeze, the secondary pivot comprising a restraining line adapted toselectively interrupt the periodic motion of the trapeze, wherein therestraining line is adapted to selectively interact with the suspensionlines of the trapeze at respective locations thereof which areintermediate between the trapeze bar and the respective suspensionpoints of the suspension lines so as to cause a performer swinging onthe trapeze to experience rotational acceleration.
 11. The secondarypivot of claim 10, further comprising an anchor, wherein the restrainingline is operatively connected to the anchor.
 12. The secondary pivot ofclaim 10, wherein the secondary pivot comprises a plurality ofrestraining lines, and each of the plurality of restraining lines isadapted to selectively interact with a trapeze suspension line at alocation thereof which is intermediate between the trapeze bar and thesuspension point of the suspension line so as to cause a performerswinging on the trapeze to experience rotational acceleration.
 13. Thecompound trapeze of claim 12, wherein the secondary pivot includes ananchor and at least one of the plurality of restraining lines isoperatively connected to the anchor.
 14. A method comprising the stepsof: a) providing a trapeze having a bar and suspension lines; b)swinging by a performer on the trapeze; and c) restraining the periodicmotion of the trapeze at locations on the suspension lines that areintermediate between the bar and the suspension points of the suspensionlines, the restraining causing the performer to experience rotationalacceleration.
 15. The method of claim 14, further comprising a step ofthe performer performing a stunt after the performer begins toexperience said rotational acceleration.
 16. The method of claim 14,further comprising a step of dynamically adjusting the length of arestraining line that is operably connected to the suspension lines andwherein the step of restraining includes selectively making therestraining line taut.